Swimsuit Club in Hot Water

The women who work At Bourbon Street South in Orlando, Fla., all wear swimsuits, dresses or hot pants when they slow dance with the patrons. They used too, anyway. Now the place is closed temporarily while owner William Ward sues Orange County for violating the First Amendment by constantly arresting his employees.\n In his suit, Ward v. County of Orange, Ward said the county should not be regulating his business as if it was an "adult performance establishment." Because there is no nudity and no liquor, he doesn't fall under that category, he said. He is being singled out and harassed, he added.\n A federal judge has asked that both sides file additional information with the court by Monday (June 29) before any action is taken on Ward's request for a preliminary injunction.\n Under the county code, a business is an "adult performance establishment" if its main purpose is to offer a product, service or entertainment that provides sexual stimulation or gratification.\n Ward's lawyer has argued that even if Bourbon Street South met that definition, it shouldn't be lumped in with other sexually oriented businesses because it doesn't cause the same secondary hazardous effects, such as increased crime and lower property values. A business owner nearby signed an affidavit that Bourbon Street South has been a good neighbor.